ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- The Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) declared itself 100-percent free from illegal drugs after three of its personnel tested negative in confirmatory tests.
Last week, two soldiers and a civilian employee tested positive in random drug testing but have since been cleared.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., Westmincom spokesperson, said the initial test was conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Task Force Moses in Camp Navarro to determine if its personnel, soldiers and civilian employees were into drugs.
According to Tan, the initial positive results of the three personnel point to either defective testing kits or the use of legal prescription drugs.
Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, Westmincom chief, stressed the AFP's all-out support of the AFP for President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. He said the command will make sure that none of its personnel use or deal in illegal drugs.
Dela Cruz said the AFP will not hesitate to remove drug users from the service and file the appropriate charges against them.